There's something about playing Potomac that brings out the best in North Stafford junior receiver Brandon Ravenel.

The 6-0, 180-pounder had five catches on Friday for 115 yards and pair of scores, as the Wolverines opened their 2011 campaign with a 55-9 win against the Panthers. For his effort, Ravenel is The Free Lance-Star's football player of the week.

Potomac High School probably agrees.

Last year--in a 35-29 Potomac win--Ravenel caught 10 balls for 188 yards and three touchdowns. So the Panthers should have known to keep an extra eye on him.

"I'm not sure what it is," Ravenel said. "They play man to man a lot, and coach thinks we can throw it on them."

Both of his touchdowns Friday came in the second quarter.

The first was on a short slant that he caught and turned into a 43-yard scoring pass from quarterback Austin Grebe.

"They had no safety help," Ravenel said. "[Austin] threw an excellent pass."

His second score was a 15-yard third-down fade route. Ravenel had a height advantage against the man covering him, and the Wolverines were happy to take advantage.

Hopefully, North Stafford coach Joe Mangano said, it will be a pattern for the Wolverines.

They've played a pretty conservative style of offense the last few years, but with Ravenel and classmate Anthony Shegog at receiver, Mangano may be looking for opportunities to open up the passing game.

"We've really put an emphasis on throwing the ball more," said Mangano, who added that Ravenel and Shegog combined for six touchdown receptions in North Stafford's two preseason scrimmages.

Justin Rice: 540/368-5045
Email: jrice@freelancestar.com